The bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron has decided to conduct a digital forensic analysis to substantiate their claims of a relationship between the actress and fellow actor Kim Soo-hyun. This decision was revealed on March 18, 2025, through a statement shared with Hankyung.com, where the family expressed their disappointment at the lack of an apology from Kim Soo-hyun's agency, stating, "I was disappointed to see Kim Soo-hyun's agency's statement. We simply wanted an apology, but we couldn't even hear that." The family aims to provide evidence from Kim Sae-ron's smartphone to demonstrate the alleged ties from her minor years.
On the same day, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute' (known as Gaseyeon) released a video claiming to showcase footage of Kim Soo-hyun at Kim Sae-ron's residence, titled "Kim Soo-hyun, Date Video Released from Kim Sae-ron's House." The channel asserted that if Kim Soo-hyun denies the claims, they are prepared to present further evidence. The bereaved family has reportedly agreed to this approach.
Previously, the family indicated that Kim Soo-hyun had been dating Kim Sae-ron, who was underage at that time, for six years. They released photographs and a letter purportedly sent by Kim Soo-hyun during his military service. This has intensified the controversy surrounding their relationship.
In a related event, the bereaved family took legal action on March 17, 2025, filing a defamation complaint against a YouTuber who posted negative content about Kim Sae-ron posthumously. During this legal maneuver, claims surfaced that Kim Sae-ron had sent desperate messages to Kim Soo-hyun begging for help, stating, "Please let me live," and "Give me time" after receiving content verification from her agency.
As the situation escalates, the family is also pondering additional legal responses. The law firm representing them indicated an unfortunate lack of communication, stating, "There has not been a single contact even after sending the second content verification. It is most unfortunate that Kim Soo-hyun could not hear an apology in the bereaved family's position."
In response, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, issued a statement clarifying their stance on the matter on March 18, 2025. The agency stated, "We have never requested compensation from Kim Sae-ron, and sending the content verification was for the purpose of legal procedures." They also sought to quell growing speculation by asserting that the individual depicted in a photo released by Kim Sae-ron's fan account is not Kim Soo-hyun and urged the family to cease making what they describe as false claims.
Furthermore, Gold Medalist addressed issues surrounding Kim Sae-ron's financial obligations, emphasizing that they did not coerce her regarding her debts and had deemed her losses as settled due to a lack of solvency. The agency claimed Kim Sae-ron's assertions of being barred from contacting fellow actors at their agency were misleading and clarified that she had the freedom to reach out.
In light of the unfolding drama, the tensions between the two sides are escalating, and as both parties prepare for potential legal proceedings, the results of the digital forensics and any supplementary evidence may play a pivotal role in the legal discourse to follow. As public interest in the case grows, so does the scrutiny on the actions and communications of both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron's family.
As it stands, this situation highlights the intersection of celebrity culture and legal responsibility, raising questions about public perception, accountability, and the impact of digital evidence in personal disputes.
